Jim Thorpe: Native American legend
Episode 9 min 1s

Jim Thorpe: Native American legend

In 1912, the Native American athlete, Jim Thorpe, stunned the world by winning both the decathlon and pentathlon at the Stockholm Olympics.

Less than a year later, Thorpe was stripped of the medals in controversial circumstances.

After struggling to make a living as a Hollywood extra, he ended up dying in poverty in a trailer park.

Richard Fleming tells Jim Thorpe's incredible story, with contributions from his biographer, Kate Buford.

PHOTO: Jim Thorpe, the track athelete. Courtesy of Cumberland County Historical Society.

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